Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 13 January 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the record matric pass rate masks a decline in learners taking mathematics. The paper writes that fewer learners took mathematics and fewer passed.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has announced the matric results for 2025. A total of 920-thousand learners sat the exam and 88-percent passed. The website writes that according to the minister, 345-thousand passed with university admission.

Then the website writes the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Willie Aucamp, has denied that he or his family is involved in lion breeding. His predecessor, Dion George, lodged a complaint about this with the Public Protector.

And finally, it is reported that a weakened dollar led to the gold price breaking through the ceiling of four-thousand-six-hundred-dollars per fine ounce for the first time yesterday. This led the JSE to a record high.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes while Gwarube praised parents and teachers for their commitment to supporting Grade 12 learners throughout the year, Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane has renewed his call for urgent systemic reform. The paper reports the release of the matric results has put the debate on the state of education in the country back under the spotlight.

# Sowetan:

Leads with: “BASENBEZILE!” They passed! The paper reports while the 88-percent is very good, the results also pointed out many areas where education can be improved.

# And The Citizen:

Writes the success stories in the matric results are contained in the learners who had to prepare for the exam under extremely difficult circumstances and still passed and performed.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Firstly, also reports on the matric results and the pass rate of 88-percent. The paper writes the head girl of York High School in George, Abigail Kok, is the number one matriculant of 2025.

And secondly, the paper writes the production of the television series Love Island had to be stopped due to the fires.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Has a special matric edition today with stories and photos of the results in the Eastern Cape. The province’s pass rate of 84.17-percent is slightly lower than last year and places the province in ninth place nationally.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the matric stars of KwaZulu-Natal are shining with the news that the province did the best with a pass rate of 90.6-percent.

And secondly, it is reported that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has issued a warning regarding children’s supplements containing zinc picolinate and selenium.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports despite strict legislation and security policies, it appears that children under the age of 18 still have easy access to clubs and bars.

Then the paper writes that Education minister Sanet Steenkamp says her ministry is actively working to combat overcrowding in schools in five regions.

And finally, there is news about Namib Mills, which is suffering from labour unrest.